What's the matter with Rose?

[Silver Swan]

Midtown

“It’s good to see YOU again, so soon. How are you doing today?”

[ Sighing]

A bird in the wind...I separated myself from the Birds of prey the night before last.

[ She shakes her heard]

Sometimes I just want to take people and SHAKE THEM unconscious when I know they're making a mistake! But...I can't...I'm NOT supposed to do that.

After what I saw....at the Blackout party, and the reaction I got when I told the "birds of prey" about it, I was upset.

After what happened at the Parthenon, the way Cameron hurt Alycia, and THEN tried to intimidate ME!? And...all of this MESS with Zachary, and ill tempered viking wench Valkyrie!?

I was ANGRY, and unwilling to tolerate anymore of the FOOLISHNESS and the WEAKNESS that was happening. I was so angry, I couldn't even allow myself to listen to Oracle, who tried her best to bridge the gap.


But earlier today, I had a very unexpected, but POSITIVE encounter with Simon Pratt, and I must say, he helped...SOFTEN my heart on a few issues. He REMINDED me of somethings.

What a sweet...remarkable young man he is.

:: Simon's words, Oracle's words...they were weighing on her heart. She had of sense of what she might need to do, but she wanted to talk to best friend and sister amazon first. She ALSO needed to talk to Alycia about Rose. They would HAVE to check on her TONIGHT.::

Delilah gave her a half smile.

“You know, I’m not sure how to cut my hair and what shade to get my nails painted. The usual.”

She laughed warmly.

“It’s the whole Haleigh-Ava thing, of course, and how to get the Six united together in a plan. Sounds like you’re having the same problem with your team.”

She sighed.

“It’s a mess, and it’s not going to be easy to clean up.”

[ Sharon tilted her head, looking at Delilah with empathy]

Indeed.

I may have acted out of haste...and after the talk I had with Simon, I'm seriously reconsidering...

 

[Citadel]

New York City - Brooklyn - Heritage Bar

:: Danny's heart had been heavy. Daniel had been a nice distraction, by like always, a few hours later Daniel was gone and they both moved on as if it had never happened. Outside of that, he was deeply worried about Rose. He felt bad that he wasn't there right now. He thought of The Hellfire Club and their new Inner Circle, knowing that they were about to unleash a great darkness on the city he loved. They had already begun with The Purifiers Attack. The world might not know who was responsible for that massacre, but Danny Donnelly did, and he had every intention of making things right. He was alerted to the disaster when it was too late. By the time he had arrived on the scene, the damage was done, and he now realized that last night was not the first time he had seen Simon Pratt. ::

:: He had been watching from a distance as Simon used his powers to stop the fire and jumpstart The Silver Swan's heart. When the others left the scene, it had been Danny who helped Rose with the children and stayed on watch nearly every waking hour for a good month in the days following the attack. He was starting to piece things together, but the whole thing made him rather gloomy. When Danny felt gloomy, he often went underground to various sub stations. Most people found them disgusting, but when he was there, Danny could really feel the power and the energy of the city at it's brightest. People fighting, fucking, screaming, yelling, singing, sleeping all within three feet of each other. It was an experience that only true New Yorkers really got. On that particular day, while still keeping his "eyes" on the Rose's neighborhood, he went down to the subway and rode for several hours. Taking in the people, feeling the buzz as the car moved on the tracks. It was relaxing and peaceful. ::

:: Feeling relaxed and calm, Danny went to exit the car and found himself nearly colliding with somebody he hadn't seen in a very long time - Lauren Danvers. Back in the day, Lauren was a co-ed who often befriended every gay man that she met. She was fun, a little bit of mess, but always incredibly endearing and very smart. He always remembered Lauren fondly. And now she was suddenly a big deal - a champion for the city, a seeker of truth for the things hiding in the alleys and corners. Danny often knew that there were citizens of the city that it loved and protected. Lauren Danvers was one of those people. Even she was not aware of the amount of times she avoided danger because of her favor with the entity of New York City. Taking the reappearance of Lauren Danvers as a gift from the city, he promptly invited her back to his bar for some drinks and oily onion rings. They had spent the last few hours together. ::

:: Danny was a little drunk and their conversations quickly devolved from hard hitting issues about Lauren's old work in DC and his own struggles to keep his bar business afloat in a neighborhood that was quickly becoming an overpriced hipster haven, to recounting old stories of their scandalous times together. There was the infamous triple kiss of New Years 08', the time Danny convinced security to let them both on stage at a club performance, and now the scandalous tale of how "Lauren drank too much absinthe and ended up mooning the good people of New York." Danny was having a very good time, and Lauren was hilariously trying to shut him down. ::

Lauren: "Oh my GOD! I did NOT!"

:: She burst into a fit of laughter as a cheeky smile flashed across Danny's face. ::

"Oh don't get so shy now, toots! You were mooning the entire upper east side from a cab!"

:: Grabbing an onion ring, he dipped it in ranch dressing and devoured it freely. ::

Lauren: "Now you are just making things up, Danny! I may have been drunk.I may have gotten a little crazy, but I don't care how blacked out you say I was...I would REMEMBER sticking my bare ASS out of the side of a CAB! Cab's are DISGUSTING!"

:: Covering his mouth with laughter for a moment. ::

"I only know what I saw, FANNY MAE. So if you want to act all high and mighty just because you're a big star on the TV now, go right ahead. But you know I'm not lying!"

:: The two erupted in laughter, breathing heavily with absolutely no regard for their volume or the other people who happened to be in the bar. ::

:: A few moments later, Lauren saw somebody from across the bar that she knew, which wasn't a rare occurence. Lauren knew everybody and had the scoop on most of them too. But when he locked eyes with her acquaintance, his blood went cold for a moment. ::

"Simon Pratt."

:: The man he encountered after finding out that Rose had been attacked, the man he helped keep safe from the clutches of Ava Cassadine. He was curiously well along in the healing process, but he seemed a little worse for the wear. And why wouldn't he, after what he had been through. Lauren invited him over and at first he was a little apprehensive, but Simon was a wounded bird, and Danny had a bad habit for trying to help out young, cute, damaged boys. ::

Lauren: "Danny! This is a friend of mine. Simon Pratt. Of the Greenwich Pratts, of course!"

"I know Simon, actually. We go way back in fact. Good to see you in better shape, bro."

:: The two shook hands as Simon and Lauren took a seat. ::

Lauren: "Simon here is a would be activist. Wants to champion for mutant rights. Pretty noble, eh?"

:: Danny gestured to have Simon's drink refilled as Danny took a sip of his beer. ::

"Not one of the worst things to feel called to."

:: Lauren leaned in and went in. ::

Lauren: "How are things going by the way? Am I any closer to that interview with your big news, or am I going to have to cover another 'Tot Mom'?"

:: Danny laughed and shook his head. ::

"Damn Lauren, he's not on your couch yet! Give the guy a break! I mean he's gotta a black eye for christ's sake."

[turning his eyes to Simon]

"Look your business is your business. Don't let this little viper get anything out of you that you don't want on the air by 10 pm."

:: He eyed the man up and down for a moment. Danny was relieved to know that Simon was in fact a friend. He had garnered favor from Rose, and if The Hellfire Club was after it, it probably meant that he was one of the good ones. With his power, he noticed a glow around Simon that was curious. It was potential. Danny could sense that the city was excited by Simon, that it believed in him. ::

"If my city wants it...she gets it."

:: First he needed to know a little bit more about this Simon Pratt. ::

"BUT...I would like to hear about Vanguard? I think I've embarrassed Lois Lane enough for one evening."

:: Lauren scrunched her nose. ::

Lauren: "Don't do me like that! I'm a Vicki Vale if anything!"

:: The two laughed loudly again before composing themselves. ::

"Don't mind us Simon. Please..how did you come to discover that this is what you wanted to do? And why now?"

 

[Talisman]

The Hellfire Mansion - Red Queen's Quarters

Helena: "I wouldn't discredit Diana too quickly, darling. She has a method to her madness and she KNOWS how to work and manipulate the situation even if others don't see it that way. It's always better to fatten the pig before slaughter."

"Not if the pig gets so big it ends up sitting on you. And yes - I've become painfully aware that Diana always has motive. But there are things in this world that CAN destroy her. Her thirst for power is something I admire, but it also comes with a bit of blindness. I mean...[smirking] remember when you were in your twenties and they tried to convince you that the Titanic was too big to fail? It's the same thing here. I'm annoyed and worried is all."

< She laughed taking another sip of her Hemlock. >

"There is something about him, Helena. He has a darkness...it's familiar and yet incredibly mysterious. I get this sense that I somehow know him or am connected to him in some way. I can feel power flex when he is near. That tells me that if he is ANY of the number of scenarios I've been running in my mind as of late, then his benefits have the potential to be incredible...THE COST of them, however...I am not sure I'm convinced of."

"I'm keeping my eye out and my guard up. Not to mention..."

< Kelly leaned in and whispered seductively. >

"Everytime I'm alone in a room with them, I can't help but feel like they want to screw my brains out."

< Half laughing. >

"I mean I tongued the woman when I was caught in a moment of nostalgia, but it appears I've awakened a beast. I thought Gorgon would be enough to get her off my back, but I have to admit..I'm a bit bored of the boy. Do you happen to remember the address where you picked up that brutish and overly macho Viking? I could use a good conquering."

< Cocking her head to the side. >

"On that note...his...relationship with the two new arrivals is...I admit..VERY FUN to watch unfold. I don't know what was going on under the roof of The Parthenon but it clearly wasn't sex. Or at least not good sex. Smart move, bringing him forward so quickly to them."

< Thinking. >

"It makes me realize the need to finalize my own appointments in The Black Court - but it's not easy. You've all been here for years. And it's clear I would never work with ANYBODY associated with that overinflated "Ankh Keychain"...I still can not get rid of the scent of incense from my living quarters. If I never smell Patchouli again, it will be too soon."

< She exhaled. >

"Helena. I'm bored. Let's get into some trouble! We still have some time before Scion fails miserably at her mission and Diana trots her into the Coliseum to be eaten by a Lion...."

< Kelly knew that it wasn't as if Helena needed a shoulder to cry on in the least. She was simply just showcasing without saying it, that if she needed something Kelly would be there for her, at least for a laugh or to create a bit of mischief as they had done so many times before. The feeling was odd and very uncomfortable for Kelly..but she needed an actual ally, an actual sounding board, one that would listen, and not be so quick to admonish everything she thought or came up with as foolish. And she liked Helena, again..a very uncomfortable, nausea inducing feeling. But it was better than the alternative, which was shutting them all off. She saw that in Scion now. Pure apathy. Talisman had barely survived colliding with the guilt and emotion that returned to her when she broke her anti-empathy spell. With what Haleigh was doing, the second she decided to come back "online" it would seek to destroy her. Kelly had survived her ordeal, but she would most certainly watch to see what would come of all the things left repressed inside The White Princess. It was going to be operatic. And highly satisfying. Perhaps Diana was rubbing off on her more than she thought. >

 

[Malice]

Midtown

:: Malice was the strongest telepathic mind on the planet, and her range was considerable. It would been easy enough for her to do this from the security of the Hellfire Mansion, the catacombs, but where was the FUN in THAT.::

:: And so she stood, wearing a white jacket, and outfit in the midst of people walking back and forth, this way and that, sight unseen, using her psi powers to mask her presence and any awareness of her from the minds in the area.::

:: She had a DIRECT line of sight to MorningStar and Silver Swan. The NEXT thing she did was use her psi powers to cast a "psi web" around the area, ALL the "flatscan", unprotected minds would no longer register the presence of MorningStar and Silver Swan. No matter what happened to either of them, no matter what either of them said or did, the people would keep walking by as if everything was normal. The two of them were isolated without even KNOWING it. ::

“It’s the whole Haleigh-Ava thing, of course, and how to get the Six united together in a plan. Sounds like you’re having the same problem with your team.”

She sighed.

“It’s a mess, and it’s not going to be easy to clean up.”

And I was checking out some man’s ass who I’ve never met before…

:: She heard what Delilah said, AND what she THOUGHT.::

Oh how quaint. The little lightengale has a PULSE for someone other than that walking meat locker after all?

:: Diana laughed softly. It was ALWAYS such FUN BULLYING Delilah. Now it was going to be even more fun to serve her a bowl of PAIN.::

A house of cards, just WAITING to collapse, from the slightest hint of a breeze, and for all the raw power Silver Swan has, it is PHYSICAL, she won't be able to do ANYTHING to help Delilah!::

:: As Delilah smiled at Sharon, and Sharon looked at her friend with empathy, Malice lifts her manicured hand, touching her index and middle finger to her her forehead.::

:: The sound of her psionic power signature sounds off as she activates her formidable psi powers, and a white halo forms around her head.::

::FLASH!::

:: A white halo forms around MorningStar's head, and the woman's world is suddenly upended as she is bombared by sensations of DISTRESS, ANGUISH, ANGER, and above all else, PAIN.::

He reeled backwards and crashed into the table where he'd set his gun down. One punch and she could cave in this flatscan's forehead, but she was going to savor this kill. She'd wanted to put an end to this arrogant asshole many times before, so she was going to make it worth the wait. He struggled for release, and she just looked down and watched his futile attempts. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and started to push his head back.

:: Malice broadcasts EVERY sensation of pain, and every feeling and reaction Bishops's mind and body has over the assault he endures at the hands of Scion. The white queen's opal blues began to GLOW as she now has a FIRM lock on MorningStar's mind, and begins to unleash the psionic ECHO.::

She taunted, lifting her left leg and jamming her heel into his right hip, forcing him to spin around so that his back was facing her, and he was facing the TV again. She climbed onto his back and wrapped her legs around him, and quickly pulled him into a standing rear-naked chokehold. On screen, Delilah and Andrew were reaching their climax. She squeezed her elbows together to tighten the choke, not enough to actually make him pass out, just keeping him on the edge.

SCION is MINE, BODY AND SOUL, and you mean NOTHING to her, MorningStar!

She squeezed a little tighter and he dropped to his knees. She released him and put her feet on the ground, then waltzed around to face him. She gave him a sharp kick in the ribs, once, twice, three times. She could have broken them, but she knew if she went full strength on him, this would be over too quickly for Malice.

:: Every attack, every blow, every broken bown, every ruptured cell, cut, and injury, ALL of the sensations, the emotions, the PAIN surrounding it, Malice broadcasts to Delilah, POURING IT ON::

FEEL IT, little girl. FEEL the DESTRUCTION of the man you are DOOMED to love. FEEL the hands of MY daughter BREAKING his body.

:: Malices eyes glow brighter, and her face is enshrouded in shadow as she smiles like a demented cheshire cat::

FEEL. MY. POWER!

:: She drags Delilah DEEPER down, tying her mind and her senses to the psionic echo::

she mounted him, raining down fists on anything he couldn't block. Through the opening between his forearms, she could see the pain on his face, and the fury. His arms were already starting to bruise, his face was bloody, and though he tightened his abs to absorb her blows, she could feel his body begin to weaken.

:: Delilah could BARELY register Sharon's calls to her as the mutate TRIED to help her, but couldn't determine what the source of her attack was. Silver Swan's mind was like QUICKSILVER, her thoughts were slippery and nearly IMPOSSIBLE to hold, BUT by the time Sharon could even DEDUCE that this might be happening because of Malice, it would be too late!::

Where does HIS pain end, and YOURS begin?

She dared, digging her nails in as she brought them down his chest

reaching back behind her quickly, snatching the knife he'd left in the floor with her left hand, and burying it to the hilt in his right lung. The look of surprise in his eyes was almost as satisfying as everything that came before it. She twisted the handle of the knife as she climbed to her feet.

You love him, you wanted to be with him, now you will join him...in DEATH. Tell him MALICE sent you!

" I'll see you in Hell."

She snarled, and disappeared, leaving him to choke on his own blood.

No baby, no man, no one who respects, or even LIKES you. LET GO, Delilah. LET GO, and JOIN Bishop...in HELL!

:: Malice's wicked laughter ECHOES in Delilah's battered mind and pain wracked body.::

:: The White Queen watchees as Sharon's struggles to try and help Delilah, kneeling on the ground and cradeling the fallen light bringer. ::

SUFFER, Silver Swan. You can't help her! NO ONE can. NO ONE is safe from ME!

:: Malice soon disappears in the crowd. The attack is over. Delilah's mind is free from Malice's hold, but the pain that she experienced from the psionic echo of Bishop's attack lingers, so does the flickering image of Malice's glowing eyes as if they were looking into Delilah's very soul:: ::

 

[Matrix]

Diamond Suite to Lobby​

mmmmmmmhmmm. Outfit fly. smell good on point. Miss D even spent 20 minutes tugging and tucking...I thought for a minute I was not gonna make it out. She enjoyed every minute of that! Especially the extra unbuttoned buttons on my shirt.

I kissed her bye-bye and went down towards the lobby to hang out until Blaze showed up to meet me. BY then, 'drinks are [apparently] mandatory".

 

[Enchantrah]

Pouring herself some more champagne, Helena listened to Kelly talk about how Diana could very well become blinded by power.

Kelly: Her thirst for power is something I admire, but it also comes with a bit of blindness. I mean...[smirking] remember when you were in your twenties and they tried to convince you that the Titanic was too big to fail?

Raising her glass in a mock cheers at Kelly.

[deadpan] "Fuck you."

She smirked as she sipped the liquid.

"It's true. Diana craves power above anything else, however she hasn't lasted this long by being stupid. We both took over Hellfire Club single handedly and made it what it is today. That's no small feat....and that wouldn't have happened if we didn't quench that thirst."

Helena stood, walking over to her dresser and grabbing her cell phone.

"Loosen up, Kelly. High-strung isn't a good look."

Sitting back down on the couch, Helena flipped to her music selection and linked her surround sound to her bluetooth as Kelly began to talk about how she got a strange feeling about Ravena--that she felt like she knew him somehow. Turning on some music, Helena placed her phone down and looked up at the queen raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe you do? Lobotomize yourself too many times perhaps?"

Smirking, if Kelly wanted to trade barbs, she met her match.

"I'm keeping my eye out and my guard up. Not to mention...Everytime I'm alone in a room with them, I can't help but feel like they want to screw my brains out."

Helena let out a hardy laugh.

"Oh honey, they DO! Join next time! tThreesomes are very therapeutic....although I prefer mine with more MEAT. But maybe all you need is a good fucking to align your robotic chakras."

Kelly: I thought Gorgon would be enough to get her off my back, but I have to admit..I'm a bit bored of the boy. Do you happen to remember the address where you picked up that brutish and overly macho Viking? I could use a good conquering.

Helena grinned.

"Mmmm my little bear. He's quite the catch isn't he? I'll email you the location."

Laughing, she doubted Kelly would be able to find someone quite like Berserker, but the hunt is so much more satisfying than the catch.

Kelly: "It makes me realize the need to finalize my own appointments in The Black Court - but it's not easy. You've all been here for years. And it's clear I would never work with ANYBODY associated with that overinflated "Ankh Keychain"...I still can not get rid of the scent of incense from my living quarters. If I never smell Patchouli again, it will be too soon."

Rolling her eyes, Helena hated Dominique. She never understood why Diana allowed her into the Sisterhood to begin with in the first place. Yes Dominique was powerful, but she was WEAK in so many other ways. She could never truly 'let go' of her soft side. So now she was playing mama bear to the ever crumbling birds of prey.

"That out dated Carnival Cruise singer was the worst thing to happen to his place. Don't EVEN get me started on that bitch."

Kelly: "Helena. I'm bored. Let's get into some trouble! We still have some time before Scion fails miserably at her mission and Diana trots her into the Coliseum to be eaten by a Lion...."

Helena smirked, rather enjoying this kid in a candy shop behavior Kelly was expressing. It was far more likable than the mechanical robot act she had before. Whatever she did to herself during the Blackout Party, Helena approved.

"My, my....seems the minx has finally awoken. I do have some delicious plans for our resident goddess of the bedroom i'd LOVE to share."

Clicking the small button on the coffee table, a holographic screen appeared between them. It showed a picture of Zachary Armani and his stats.

"Haleigh's ex-fiance. Absolutely GORGEOUS specimen of a man....the things I would do to him..."

Helena's mind wandered for a moment before she snapped back to reality.

"Persephone is going to rip him apart--quite literally. I want his head on a silver platter and delivered to Scion's chambers."

She smiled wickedly.

"Oh! I have candids."

And Helena brought up multiple shirtless and nude images of Zach for her and Kelly to enjoy.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas' Suite
​

Whose Daddy's babies?! YOU ARE!!!

Two creamy bowls of milk and two bowls of nutrient-fortified red snapper that Nic hand-made for them later, and the cats were pouncing on 4 psi-spheres of his creation while Nicolas laughed, seated beside Morgan. This was good. It made him forget about the issues for a few moments. But he knew it could not last forever. He looked at Morgan, his mouth twisting into a more grim smile as he decided to get the talk out of the way.

So, the Sanctum designs are ready for your input prior to redesign and the site of the Illustra building is cleared. So there's that? What is on your mind about the rest? Ma is over it I KNOW and Mike is backing her 100%...

 

[Tachyon]

The 4th time it went to voicemail Xavier rolled out. He arrived at Charope LLC in less than 15 seconds, circling the campus 6 times to check for signs of anything amiss. He saw the dim light and deduced that she was probably OK, but damned if he would leave without checking.

He stopped at the door and knocked...600 times. He got up to the resonance of the doorway and backed off on the hardness of the strike, knowing that the sound would amplify several times on its own. He fully expected to get cursed out, but at least she would be alive. So, for once, the speedster waited.

 

[Spellbinder]

The Parthenon- Nicolas' Suite

Nicolas' Suite
​

Whose Daddy's babies?! YOU ARE!!!

Two creamy bowls of milk and two bowls of nutrient-fortified red snapper that Nic hand-made for them later, and the cats were pouncing on 4 psi-spheres of his creation while Nicolas laughed, seated beside Morgan. This was good. It made him forget about the issues for a few moments. But he knew it could not last forever. He looked at Morgan, his mouth twisting into a more grim smile as he decided to get the talk out of the way.

So, the Sanctum designs are ready for your input prior to redesign and the site of the Illustra building is cleared. So there's that? What is on your mind about the rest? Ma is over it I KNOW and Mike is backing her 100%...

<< Morgan lay leisurely across Nicolas' couch. she was wearing one of her edgier outfits, again, signaling a shift in her feeling and personality. Harkening back to her earlier, more ANGRY years during and POST-Valiant. But despite her more provocative look, she maintained the serenity and the progress she has made up till her return!>>

<< She enjoyed watching Nicolas tend to Tinker and the kitten. They gotten to the point where Nicolas ever referred to himself as their daddy, and the cats responded to him accordingly.>>

<< the cats happily enjoyed their special dinner, and Morgan enjoyed her view. >>

<< She sighed and stretched as Nicolas came to join her on the couch>>

I'll address that first thing in the morning. Your design team is truly marvelous. Even Thomas at Clandestine Inc was imporessed by their credentials. You did a fantastic job with the prep work, clearing the site AND the underground tunnel network to connect the sanctorum to the parthenon, took less time than we originally had anticipated.

As for the REST?

Well...you know how it's been. We've ALL been lost in a fog.

My mom...she's been equal parts lost, dismayed, angry and BITTER.

<< Looking at Nicolas>>

She went through SO MUCH these last few weeks, what with the facsimile of Frost, Talisman stalking her, and then trying to help Haleigh only to have it blow up in her face like THAT!?

<< She lays her head on Nicolas' shoulder>>

If Cameron hadn't said what he said to me....we wouldn't be here right now. I was totally on board with my mom and Blaze, and honestly, I was really thinking that I wouldn't need to return to the Six AT ALL. I could focus on my OWN destiny as sorceress supreme, and protect my FAMILY. That BITCH Talisman...she's not even supposed to BE here and she only got the drop on my mom because she bushwacked her. But now that I'M back...it's gonna be DIFFERENT. I'll DRAG HER ASS around the battle field just like i did WITCHFIRE.

And I KNOW Alison wants to get her.

That gutless cow, she BETTER watch her back!

<< Morgan said bitterly.>>

I have a clear understanding now, from Cameron, about his role in all of that, and where he stands. I NOW know that he's NOT content to let my mother or Blaze be sacrificial lambs. If that hadn't been clarified, we were going to have problems.

Speaking of problems...you heard what he did...to Alycia?

<< she shakes her head>>


The truth is...I SAW the two of them, Haleigh and Cameron. I told him that night that if he didn't tell Alycia, I was going to. So at LEAST he came clean. But GAWD...the timing of all this...the SELFISHNESS of the two of them, its just so GROSS!

Now Alycia HATES him, and by is own admission, he doesn't even REGRET what he did!

How could he be so STUPID?!

What if we've lost one of our greatest allies because of him...because of HER (Haleigh).

<< She sits up and brings her legs down, placing her high heels on the floor and now looks at Nicolas>>

Listen...I'm not going to condemn Haleigh for being Malice's. I can't. She's ALSO my half sister- we share the same father.

And as for her becoming evil? Well...I lost myself to the darkness in my soul, and nearly destroyed the city...the WORLD. I destroyed Haleigh's ORIGINAL body...and all the things that happened between she and I, all the fighting , all of her provocation, my violence, EVERYTHING...all the while this was happening...she was....WE WERE SISTERS!

ALL THIS TIME, and I didn't know, Blaze didn't know. My MOM didn't immediately know.

Frost...we failed her...AGAIN. and now we've LOST Haleigh just as we found out the TRUTH about her.

I CAN'T condemn her for who she is...but I ALSO can't understand the choice she's made to go to Malice.

Does she REALLY think that she's ENOUGH to satisfy DIANA!?

<< Shaking her head>>

I don't know for certain...but I sense that there's more going on here. I don't feel that Haleigh is being "held captive". It was CLEAR she made the choice of her own. Even when we were sitting together in her office, she knew what she was going to do, which is why she had me sign the documents that I signed for the contracts betwen Illustra Inc, LCI and for the work CI is involved in regarding the Sanctorum project.

But even tough I can't put my finger on it yet, we HAVE to address what we see. Because of her choices, we've been left WIDE open. We lost HALEIGH, Ava DEFECTED, several of our allies have been ATTACKED, and this time...we STILL don't seem to have it together.

Those choices can't go unaddressed, and the attacks on our friends and allies, and whatever else may be coming? They CAN'T go unanswered.

I'm tempted...I'm REALLY tempted to evacuate my mom AND Michael to Minerva's Aerie, where they'll be safer, and Harbinger can protect them, but my mom says she's not leaving yet...and after everything she's been through, I'm not going to force the issue with her. She's my mother, a grown woman...and I've no right to treat her like an incompetent old woman, she's the furthest thing from it. But I'll be DAMNED if I let anyone get to her the way Talisman did. Cameron better think fast and be READY because I WON'T show any mercy, and I KNOW that Harbinger backs me up on that.

For now, my mom is just starting to emerge from the self imposed cocooning she was doing...that we were ALL doing. But she's not quite herself. And look at me...i feel whispers of an older version of myself reasserting herself, and I'm not AT ALL worried about it.

<< she continues, in that icy voice of hers>>

I think for what's coming, that may be NEEDED, both from external threats AND within.

Delilah and I we...made up, but where Haleigh OR Talisman are concerned, CAN she be relied upon to go AGAINST Cameron if it's required? Can CAMERON be trusted, given HIS behavior? I HAVE to be ready to make HARD decisions, Nicolas. They HATED me for it before, but I carried that burden when no one else could, and I may have to do it again.

Blaze has hardened when it comes to Delilah. She's not saying anything about it openly, but she told me what happened between them. She's OVER Delilah now, and she's just going to work AROUND her.

The time for inner conflict among this team is OVER. I told Cameron that, and if I have to, I'll tell Delilah the same thing. It's THAT VERY THING, that helped bring us to where we are NOW, and it wasn't JUST her, but now, EVERYONE, INCLUDING HER is going to have to just STOP, and do what we were able to do in the past, and come together for the sake of our LIVES and our DESTINY.

Anyone who CAN'T, can LEAVE.

 

[Rampage]

<< She sighed and stretched as Nicolas came to join her on the couch>>

I'll address that first thing in the morning. Your design team is truly marvelous. Even Thomas at Clandestine Inc was imporessed by their credentials. You did a fantastic job with the prep work, clearing the site AND the underground tunnel network to connect the sanctorum to the parthenon, took less time than we originally had anticipated.

Indeed. And the youngest has access to tech the likes of which I have never seen. Once you re-spec and get back to us, you will not believe what is coming. I want to surprise you.

As for the REST?

Well...you know how it's been. We've ALL been lost in a fog.

My mom...she's been equal parts lost, dismayed, angry and BITTER.

<< Looking at Nicolas>>

She went through SO MUCH these last few weeks, what with the facsimile of Frost, Talisman stalking her, and then trying to help Haleigh only to have it blow up in her face like THAT!?

<< She lays her head on Nicolas' shoulder>>

The worst part for me is that people somehow though that not contacting me was the thing to do. Mike and I have already...discussed that fuckup. We made up afterward, but seriously, that is where this started. Everyone thinks they can handle this on their own. And look where that has gotten us.

Morgan admitted that she was set to leave the Six and devote herself fully to her mantle. Nicolas could actually not argue that at all. It was not illogical to think that maybe there should be a new, different paradigm for how the Six operated. At this point, everything was on the table.

That BITCH Talisman...she's not even supposed to BE here and she only got the drop on my mom because she bushwacked her. But now that I'M back...it's gonna be DIFFERENT. I'll DRAG HER ASS around the battle field just like i did WITCHFIRE.

And I KNOW Alison wants to get her.

That gutless cow, she BETTER watch her back!

<< Morgan said bitterly.>>

I have a clear understanding now, from Cameron, about his role in all of that, and where he stands. I NOW know that he's NOT content to let my mother or Blaze be sacrificial lambs. If that hadn't been clarified, we were going to have problems.

Speaking of problems...you heard what he did...to Alycia?

Yeah...Not surprised, but still somehow shocked.

<< she shakes her head>>


The truth is...I SAW the two of them, Haleigh and Cameron. I told him that night that if he didn't tell Alycia, I was going to. So at LEAST he came clean. But GAWD...the timing of all this...the SELFISHNESS of the two of them, its just so GROSS!

Now Alycia HATES him, and by is own admission, he doesn't even REGRET what he did!

How could he be so STUPID?!

What if we've lost one of our greatest allies because of him...because of HER (Haleigh).

We are not losing Alycia. She is one of your best friends. We need to rekindle some ties, sure. Mike checks in at Charope. I will roll with him next time.

<< She sits up and brings her legs down, placing her high heels on the floor and now looks at Nicolas>>

Listen...I'm not going to condemn Haleigh for being Malice's. I can't. She's ALSO my half sister- we share the same father.

And as for her becoming evil? Well...I lost myself to the darkness in my soul, and nearly destroyed the city...the WORLD. I destroyed Haleigh's ORIGINAL body...and all the things that happened between she and I, all the fighting , all of her provocation, my violence, EVERYTHING...all the while this was happening...she was....WE WERE SISTERS!

ALL THIS TIME, and I didn't know, Blaze didn't know. My MOM didn't immediately know.

Frost...we failed her...AGAIN. and now we've LOST Haleigh just as we found out the TRUTH about her.

I CAN'T condemn her for who she is...but I ALSO can't understand the choice she's made to go to Malice.

Does she REALLY think that she's ENOUGH to satisfy DIANA!?

<< Shaking her head>>

I don't know for certain...but I sense that there's more going on here. I don't feel that Haleigh is being "held captive". It was CLEAR she made the choice of her own. Even when we were sitting together in her office, she knew what she was going to do, which is why she had me sign the documents that I signed for the contracts betwen Illustra Inc, LCI and for the work CI is involved in regarding the Sanctorum project.

But even tough I can't put my finger on it yet, we HAVE to address what we see. Because of her choices, we've been left WIDE open. We lost HALEIGH, Ava DEFECTED, several of our allies have been ATTACKED, and this time...we STILL don't seem to have it together.

Those choices can't go unaddressed, and the attacks on our friends and allies, and whatever else may be coming? They CAN'T go unanswered.

I'm tempted...I'm REALLY tempted to evacuate my mom AND Michael to Minerva's Aerie, where they'll be safer, and Harbinger can protect them, but my mom says she's not leaving yet...and after everything she's been through, I'm not going to force the issue with her. She's my mother, a grown woman...and I've no right to treat her like an incompetent old woman, she's the furthest thing from it. But I'll be DAMNED if I let anyone get to her the way Talisman did. Cameron better think fast and be READY because I WON'T show any mercy, and I KNOW that Harbinger backs me up on that.

For now, my mom is just starting to emerge from the self imposed cocooning she was doing...that we were ALL doing. But she's not quite herself. And look at me...i feel whispers of an older version of myself reasserting herself, and I'm not AT ALL worried about it.

<< she continues, in that icy voice of hers>>

I think for what's coming, that may be NEEDED, both from external threats AND within.

Nicolas takes Morgan's hands into his and tries to reassure her.

Mike is not done working on getting Ma back to Aerie, so finger crossed. He is really focused on...something. I know he is trying to cement some ties with BoP, and he has completed some security changes with Haleigh's leaving in mind. But he is uninterested in his Doc suffering so I would say that when the time comes, be ready to help him lean on her.

As for YOU, you know I accept all. [kiss] of. [kiss] YOU. So go dark, maybe we need to burn it all down and start over.

There was a reddish glint in his eyes that she would recognize from those nights when they unleashed upon one another in Limbo....then it passed.

Delilah and I we...made up, but where Haleigh OR Talisman are concerned, CAN she be relied upon to go AGAINST Cameron if it's required? Can CAMERON be trusted, given HIS behavior? I HAVE to be ready to make HARD decisions, Nicolas. They HATED me for it before, but I carried that burden when no one else could, and I may have to do it again.

Blaze has hardened when it comes to Delilah. She's not saying anything about it openly, but she told me what happened between them. She's OVER Delilah now, and she's just going to work AROUND her.

The time for inner conflict among this team is OVER. I told Cameron that, and if I have to, I'll tell Delilah the same thing. It's THAT VERY THING, that helped bring us to where we are NOW, and it wasn't JUST her, but now, EVERYONE, INCLUDING HER is going to have to just STOP, and do what we were able to do in the past, and come together for the sake of our LIVES and our DESTINY.

Anyone who CAN'T, can LEAVE.

I expect Delilah to be OK. She stood with me and supported me just yesterday when Aunt D found me in a bad way and essentially tried to snatch me away. She took some responsibility for the fractures, supported me and vowed to make things better. I plan to take her at her word and I know you have it in you to give her some room, see what happens. We just need to get everyone back and clear the air, focus on the enemy outside. Because it is just a matter of time until Malice strikes at one of us directly.

 

[Artemis]

Charope, LLC- Alycia's office

The 4th time it went to voicemail Xavier rolled out. He arrived at Charope LLC in less than 15 seconds, circling the campus 6 times to check for signs of anything amiss. He saw the dim light and deduced that she was probably OK, but damned if he would leave without checking.

He stopped at the door and knocked...600 times. He got up to the resonance of the doorway and backed off on the hardness of the strike, knowing that the sound would amplify several times on its own. He fully expected to get cursed out, but at least she would be alive. So, for once, the speedster waited.

GREAT HERA!

:: Alycia bellowed as she flew out of her seat and made her way down to the main floor, toward the foyer.::

:: This was BEYOND obnoxious, and whoever was on the other side of that door!?::

NO ENEMY would be this..."polite", but then again, who KNOWS what this building actually IS. It doesn't look like much on the outside...

:: As the amazon Charope, Alycia was capable of out running a cheetah, jumping/leaping up to 1200 feet, from a STANDING position, breaking metal as strong as steel or substances as thick as concrete or the rock of a mountain with her bare hands, using her enhanced reflexes and her feminum bracelets to block/deflect projectiles, objects, and energy projections, she was PLENTY capable of defending herself if someone hostile WAS on the otherside of the door. For a moment, she even wondered...::

That stupid girl Ashley wouldn't come here to try to ...no, even SHE is not THAT foolhardy. Or maybe she IS. She'll get a bolt of divine lightning slammed right down her throat!

:: But as she reached the double doors, and opened them, she found::

XAVIER!

:: She said with agitation::

What do you mean, banging on my door like a LUNATIC!?

:: Her hazel eyes flashed with annoyance::

:: But there he stands, looking rather calm, and Alycia wasn't interested in having a conversation in the foyer of her building with the door open.::

:: Huffing with annoyance::

Come IN.

:: she commands. Once inside, she closees the doors and reactivates the building's sensors and security/defense::

So...

:: begins as she leads him further into the building and up to the third floor, where her office suite is located. Inside, she gestures for him to pull up a chair, while she takes her seat behind her desk::

...What brings you here, Xavier?

You don't strike me as the type to race around town just to deliver a message you could have...

:: She looked at her phone, 4 missed calls, 4 voice mails::

...called. OR texted.

::She sets her phone down::

You really shouldn't have been so OBNOXIOUS at my front door.

WHAT do you want?

:: She was still agitated with him, but a bit less so than she was just a few seconds earlier. Of all the people she thought MIGHT be on the other side of the door, Xavier was not even in her top 10 list, and so, ,she WAS curious as to why he was here.::

 

[Silver Swan]

Midtown

[ Sharon was about to say that she seriously considering Simon's words and reaching out to Oracle, when Delilah suddenly winced, and staggered. Sharon's silver eyes widen]

Delilah!? What is it!? what's the MATTER?

[ Sharon moves to help steady Delilah, but the woman CRUMBLES to her knees in AGONY, much to Sharon's shock and dismay]

ATHENA! What's HAPPENING!?

[ Sharon frantically looks around, searching with her keen eye sight, but the natives of the city are as apahetic as ever, walking back and forth, to and fro, no one even noticing or caring about the scene unfolding. But even now...it seems unusual that NOT ONE PERSON beside Sharon could see and hear Delilah's distress, her screams.]

[ Sharon commands her silver eye mask to return, and immediately begins searching the area]

There doesn't APPEAR to be anyone here!? But then....

[ Before Sharon could escalate her search efforts to try to determine what or WHO was causing Delilah such pain and agony, Delilah's body begins reacting as though she's being attacked physically. And Sharon knees down to craddle her, to hold her STEADY to keep her from unintentionally hurting herself]

COME OUT AND SHOW YOURSELF!

[ Sharon commands to the unseen assailant. She may not be able to SEE, but she knows SOMEONE is behind this, and it's likely MALICE!]

I could try using my sonar to find her, if she's HERE, her BODY would register. She may be able to hide from my eye site, and even my MIND, but she can't hide from THAT!

[ But Sharon's concern for Delilah precluded Sharon from leaving her. She couldn't let Delilah fall completely to the ground and writhe about. If these passersby, who were impossibly OBLIVIOUS to the situation should STEP on her...or worse, if Malice WAS doing this, if she then used her psi powers to compell the crowed of people to TURN on them, what then? ]

NO...I can't use deadly force against this unarmed, defenseless people. I...I'll just carry Delilah AWAY from here if I have to. I'll get her some place SAFE, Charope, LLC!

COME OUT NOW, SHOW YOUR FACE, YOU COWARD!

[Sharon bellowed as she looked around them once again, STILL trying to do whatt she could to at least hold Delilah]

I don't even know exactly what's HAPPENING to her. Is it a psionic attack? I could TRY to sedate her with my sonics and hypnosis but without knowing for sure...

Oh great Athena, give me CLARITY to HELP my friend!

:: The White Queen watchees as Sharon's struggles to try and help Delilah, kneeling on the ground and cradeling the fallen light bringer. ::

SUFFER, Silver Swan. You can't help her! NO ONE can. NO ONE is safe from ME!

:: Malice soon disappears in the crowd. The attack is over and Delilah's mind is free from Malice's hold, but the pain from the psionic echo of bishop's attack still lingers.::

By the goddess, Delilah!?

What can i do! How can I help you?!

Who did this to you, Was it MALICE?

 

[Spellbinder]

The Parthenon- Nicolas' apartment

Yeah...Not surprised, but still somehow shocked.

Well apparently Alycia verbally eviscerated him, then Vivica came and took HER pound of flesh over him not contacting her, and Persephone's attack on her, and THEN, when Alycia had tried to flee, she fell...Cameron picked her up and was talking to her, when Sharon, who heard her scream, burst into the scene and slapped Cameron into the wall, breaking his jaw.

Cameron retaliated by trying to intimidate Sharon, and he even used his power on the area around her and Alycia!

As far as I'm concerned, he was completely out of order.

How can he say he's learned from his mistakes but then turn around and do this? I BELIEVED him when he was apologetic about his behavior toward me and my mom...but NOW?

<< she massaged her temples>>

Oh it's just a MESS, Nicolas. WHY did he have to DO that!

I mean...I GUESS I should have seen it coming. Those two have been orbiting each other since DAY 1. But was it fair for Alycia and Zach to be COLLATERAL DAMAGE?

Couldn't they think about anyone else BESIDE themselves!? Cameron...and all his blustering at ME when I returned...and THIS is how he treats ALYCIA? HALEIGH, and her...INABILITY to respect anyone else's needs, their RELATIONSHIPS!

<< Nicolas KNEW that Morgan was MORE than sympathetic to ALYCIA in this situation, given what happened between THEM during the Set Caper.>>

We are not losing Alycia. She is one of your best friends. We need to rekindle some ties, sure. Mike checks in at Charope. I will roll with him next time.

She IS one of my best friends, and she's been one of OUR greatest allies! Among other things, She came to us during the Blue Moon to help us, when she could've been ANYWHERE else in the world! Sharon too!

<< Sigh>>

I know Cameron can't TRULY mean that he doesn't regret hurting Alycia. If he did...then EVERYTHING he said to me in that parking garage is a LIE, and we have a PROBLEM on our hands.

<< on the topic of Shadow Weaver>>

Nicolas takes Morgan's hands into his and tries to reassure her.

Mike is not done working on getting Ma back to Aerie, so finger crossed. He is really focused on...something. I know he is trying to cement some ties with BoP, and he has completed some security changes with Haleigh's leaving in mind. But he is uninterested in his Doc suffering so I would say that when the time comes, be ready to help him lean on her.

Yeah about the Birds of Prey? Blaze saw Dominique yesterday. Apparently there is conflict with that team too. Sharon, Alycia, and Dominique are ALL...on hiatus from them. So who does that leave? Vivica? You said yourself she was pretty "OVER IT" with this team, when you saw her in Dominique's suite. I STIL cant believe that Sharon, Alycia AND Dominique went to the Birds of Prey.

<< Nicolas filled Morgan in on Alycia's ties to Zizi York, as well as Dominique's stated reasons for going, and that Zizi and Zach both extended an invitation to Sharon, who chose to follow Alycia.>>

I will. And I'm going to be vocal in supporting my mom's choice to refuse helping anyone else on this team with their personal problems. She needs to recover from what happened with Haleigh, and nobody else needs to burden her. It's not like they'll listen anyway.

Mike is pretty good at establishing connections. He can work with people that others of us find intolerable. I've yet to meet anyone other than OUR people who are on that team, so I will reserve my judgement for when I DO finally get to meet them.

As for YOU, you know I accept all. [kiss] of. [kiss] YOU. So go dark, maybe we need to burn it all down and start over.

There was a reddish glint in his eyes that she would recognize from those nights when they unleashed upon one another in Limbo....then it passed.

<< She seen that "demonic" glint in his eye before, in the comfort and safety of her eldritch dimension Limbo. The two of them were a lot more centered in themselves, AND each other theese days, and so, she simply helped ton his hand, their fingers intertwined, and squeezed a bit as she held their clasped hands up to her face, resting it on her soft cheek.>>

I thank you, Nicolas, for your acceptance, and your support. You've been SO GOOD to Blaze and my mom in my absence, and you are one of the FEW people outside of my mom and my sister, that did NOT make my return difficult.

<< she leans over to embrace him tightly>>

That means so much!

And considering how everything has turned OUT!?

<< she lets go, and leans back , letting her head fall back and sighing as she looks up at the ceiling for a moment. On the topic of Morgan's edgier appearence and resuming a harder edge in order to lead, AND her unwillingness to tolerate team conflict.>>

I expect Delilah to be OK. She stood with me and supported me just yesterday when Aunt D found me in a bad way and essentially tried to snatch me away. She took some responsibility for the fractures, supported me and vowed to make things better. I plan to take her at her word and I know you have it in you to give her some room, see what happens. We just need to get everyone back and clear the air, focus on the enemy outside. Because it is just a matter of time until Malice strikes at one of us directly.

<< she closed her eyes.>>

Nicolas, I'm so GLAD that I could...work things out with Delilah. I know things aren't the way the WERE, but they're PAST the point they were in the aftermath of the Blue moon.

My mother believed in Delilah, AND us. Now I have to believe that we can take it from here.

Blaze is doing what she has to do be able to function in her capacity as a member of the Six family. I trust that Delilah will be true to word. I certainly will be true to mine.

<< Morgan was surprised and ENCOURAGED by what Nicolas shared regarding Delilah standing by him, supporting him when Dominique wanted to take him away from here.>>

Blaze is doing what she must, and so is Delilah. I hope....I pray to Hecate that Cameron get's his SHIT together and does the same thing.

<< Morgan slowly stands up, and Nicolas stands up with her>>

You mentioned something about Mike working on "something"...being focused on it. Well...so I am. My magicks, my very senses are chiming...and since my area of consecration is not available to me just yet, I need to return to Limbo to do some..."research" in my sumit, regarding Haleigh, Ava, Malice and the hellfire club.

Will you keep the babies here with you? Tinkerbell is enchanted, but the kitten is not, and I don't want to leave anyone, or even them, completely alone.

I'll be back soon.

<< She exchanges a hug and a kiss with Nicolas, before bending down to pick up both her babies, and kiss them both goodbye too.>>

Mommy will be back soon! you babies be good for daddy!

<< Tinker "replied", ever the vocal siamese, while the kitten let out a tiny mew.>>

See you soon, Nicolas.

<< and with that, Morgan opens a stepping disc, and teleports away to Limbo. >>

 

[Seer]

Meanwhile

<< The Parthenon>>

<< Vivica Lennox and Cassandra Johnson were making their way to Spectra Couture, where inside the circular lounge area of the boutique, Blaze Victory was handling the dashing, and for Blaze, slightly unsettling Derek Forrester. Andrew Murphy was still present as well, all of them under the watchful eyes of that beautiful, framed portrait of Sally Spectra.>>

<< Richard Martin, who had went down to the main floor, discovered that he was in the wrong place, when he received a text from Blaze, and so he made his way to the Winding Way, where he'd find Spectra Couture, and the gathering inside. An incidental mini-reunion of the Birds of Prey was happening, courtesy of Blaze! >>

<< We watch and see how these beautiful young people will mix and mingle as the night sets in, and what is in store for hungry eyes, curious minds, and smoldering hearts of Blaze Victory and Richard Martin

-----------------------------------
<< At the Clocktower>>

<< All eyes were now on Zachary Armani, as Oracle turned to him for more insight and information on the mysterious Rose, while they watched the footage of her brutal take down of Persephone.>>


----------------------------------
<<Midtown>>

<< The Silver Swan held a badly shaken MorningStar in her arms. The effects of Malice's psionic attack were beginning to subside, but not without a painful revelation being left in the mind of Delilah Trelevan....>>

 

[MorningStar]

South of Midtown

A bird in the wind...I separated myself from the Birds of prey the night before last.

“Oh no! Sharon, I’m sorry. I know that must have been hard for you.”

I may have acted out of haste...and after the talk I had with Simon, I'm seriously reconsidering...

Delilah thought about it for a moment, then put a hand on her friend’s arm.

“Well, I think you have to do what’s best for you. I’m sure the Six would be happy to have you back, I know I would. But maybe think about the reasons you joined the team in the first place, and see if they are still valid?”

Delilah gave her a half smile. But before she could say anything further, pain exploded in her head. Her hand flew to her forehead as she gasped. She could feel pain, as if she was being beaten within an inch of her life. She cried out and doubled over.

Delilah!? What is it!? what's the MATTER?

She opened her mouth but could not speak as another wave hit her. She fell to her knees. And then the pain took over – she was no longer able to stay upright, and fell to the ground, body wracked with the pain. She couldn’t see or feel anything else but the excruciating torment she was in.

Then, as quickly as it had started, her body was released. But she could still feel the pain, still see two glowing eyes…

By the goddess, Delilah!? What can i do! How can I help you?! Who did this to you, Was it MALICE?

She clutched at Sharon, still finding it hard to stand. Her face was filled with abject horror.

“I could feel…pain…such pain. He’s dying, Sharon – Bishop is dying. We have to help him!”

 

[Berserker]

The Hellfire Mansion – Red Rook’s Quarters

"Mmm...are Berserkers known for their stamina? Because you are QUITE impressive."

“We’ve been known to go days…care to test it out? Purely for scientific purposes, of course.”

When he asked her about the Six, it seemed to put her off. She dropped the claw, which he picked up and set on the bedside table.

"Cliffnotes version? I'm from a different timeline and could no longer stay there. In order to stay in THIS timeline, I had to merge with Miss Ava Cassadine. And sooo began the gloriously boring journey of becoming good and having feelings."

“So overrated…”

He whispered. She smiled as a knock on the door signaled that her food had arrived.

He laid on his back and laughed as she toyed with the servant boy.

"So cute....he wouldn't last 10 seconds."

He cocked an eyebrow.

“Were you thinking of having him join us?”

But then she was back on top of him, a bottle of wine in her hand. She poured them each a glass.

"Cheers to power without consequences."

He touched glasses with her and held her eyes as he drank deep. He set his glass down and took the bottle from her hands. He tilted it, slowly pouring a stream of wine between her breasts and down her body.

He gave her a seductive smirk.

“How clumsy of me.”

He set the bottle down, and went about using his mouth to clean up all that spilled wine…

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Zizi: You don’t know how thoroughly astounding it is that there is such a HOLE in information about this woman. I mean, what’s her last name, exactly what powers does she have, where did she COME from? People make trails. Even people who try to cover their pasts usually don’t. So what is she hiding and why? And HOW? Is there ANYTHING else you know about Rose that could help us?

"Well, yeah, I mean, I know a little. I can't tell you where she came from, but I CAN tell you how I first met her."

He thought back to that day, when HE used to be the Lieutenant for the European Division. It was a fateful mission, and had prompted him to retire from field work altogether. If it hadn't been for Rose, the entire mission might have been a disaster.

"It was several years ago, in Austria. I was commanding a field team, trying to block a Mystech effort to kidnap prospective test subjects from a small village. Mystech's 'Black Guard' detonated several Chlorine Gas Bombs, and we went in to drive them back and limit their success, but Mystech just kept dispatching more men. I lost my entire team that day, trying to defend the LZ for the Evac chopper. Rose showed up out of nowhere and saved the day. She didn't stick around afterwards. I tried to talk to her, but she just smiled, nodded, and disappeared. Never even told me her name."

He pulled a peppermint out of his pocket, untwisted the wrapper, and popped it in his mouth. As he rolled it around on his tongue, he went over to the trash can to discard the wrapper. There was an entire bouquet of flowers dropped in there. He chuckled quietly and shook his head. When he turned back around he looked at Zizi and smiled as he walked back over.

"I thought she'd at LEAST let YOU keep them. Anyway. After that tragedy I asked Haleigh for reassignment. I just didn't have the same enthusiasm for field duty, and wanted to get into politics. I was put undercover as Sharon's page. Rose surfaced again at one of Sharon's fundraisers, but she was a wallflower, and kind of had this way of.... hiding in plain sight. Sharon and Alycia were the only ones who seemed to realize she was even THERE. Alycia was the one who introduced us formally. I didn't think she would recognize me, since the first time we met I was wearing a gas mask, but she said she recognized my.... soul. It didn't make sense at the time, but eventually I realized it was an awareness afforded to her by her psionic abilities."

He leaned against the back of the sofa, thinking back again, this time, to the night of the Inferno Incident.

"She helped me again, in the streets during the Inferno. She was quite impressive, and dispatched demons and everything else with a calm confidence. [he pointed to the screen, indicating Rose's power signature] See here, how the manifestation of her abilities is shifting up the color spectrum, more towards white? I've never SEEN her like that before. It's always been purple, even when she CRUSHED some of Spellbinder's minions who were trying to carry off children orphaned by the event. But here in the video, the more agitated and violent she gets, the more the color changes. That must be significant in some way."

 

[Silver Swan]

From Midtown to Bishop's safehouse

She clutched at Sharon, still finding it hard to stand. Her face was filled with abject horror.

“I could feel…pain…such pain. He’s dying, Sharon – Bishop is dying. We have to help him!”

[ Sharon easily provided physical support to Delilah, helping her to stand, and letting Delilah hold/lean on her]

[ As MorningStar communicated that BISHOP was in such pain, and DYING, the look on Sharon's face was dismay, even from behind her silver eye mask, her eyes betrayed a look of confusion]

[ Delilah wasn't a precog, or a telepath, so the attack on her MUST have been psionic in nature, which meant...]

...then it WAS Malice.

She somehow MASKED her presence from our PHYSICAL senses when she attacked you.

[ Sharon didn't like this at all. She couldnt strike back at Malice just then, all she could do was try to help Delilah.]

[ But here they were now. Delilah somehow knew that BISHOP was dying!]

[ Sharon hadn't seen Bishop since the Alexia/Badiane nightmare event, but her experience in that shared nightmare had stayed with her. She no longer saw Bishop as the heartless monster she once considered him to be. He was no ANGEL, but by now, neither was SHE. But if nothing else, he WAS a parent, a FATHER now, and Sharon, being a parent, a MOTHER, had THAT much in common with him. She also had a special spot in her heart for little Alexia. She knew that one day, Alexia and Delilah would be together again, and Bishop...if he didn't deserve anything ELSE...he deserved a chance to LIVE to SEE that moment, to see his daughter again]

[ And so, she overcame the FLASH of reluctance and the resentmenet she felt in her heart toward Bishop for what he'd done to her, and instead, relied on her love and friendship with Delilah, and her empathy with Bishop as a parent]

... well then me must get to him, at once.

[ MorningStar is still too shaken and off balance to use her power, and so Silver Swan easily gathers her in her arms to carry her.]

Relax. I can carry you with ease. Tell me where Bishop is.

[ And with that, the Silver Swan lifts off the ground]

Hang on.

[ She rises higher and higher, before turning toward the direction she needs to go, and then TAKES OFF. For Delilah this is MORE than the ultimate wild ride at an amusemenet park, but she needn't worry Silver Swan won't drop her]

[ In record time, they reach Bishop's safe house, and they land. Sharon does a "scan" of the area to be safe]

My sonar only registered ONE other body on the premesis, and I don't detect any OTHER heart beats or human rhythms.

[ She lets Delilah lead the way inside, following close behind, ready for ANYTHING.]

[ When they find Bishop, Sharon can't help but feel....SYMPATHY for him. The man's body is so battered, so broken.]

Athena...

[ She says softly, as Delilah quickly goes to him]

His heart beat...is so faint....so weak. He doesn't have much time left.

[ She looked around]

There's been a violent conflict...

[ And on the wall mounted flat screen....images of Delilah...and ANDREW... in Sally Spectra's office!]

....Delilah...

[ She motions toward the screen]

 

[Persephone]

Alek: “Were you thinking of having him join us?”

"Would you oppose? I like to share some things....as long as it benefits me."

She grinned, knowing the servant boy would probably die in the process, but what a way to go. However there were a few Inner Circle members she'd LOVE to sink her teeth into. Heidi was gorgeous, and Amanda was MORE than pliable. The options looked promising.

Clinking her glass against his, she took a long sip of the wine, allowing the vintage notes to dance along her tongue and perk up her pallet.

"Delicious."

Alek took the glass from her hand, placing it on the bedside table. Normally she would of killed anyone who took that good of a vintage wine away from her, but as he took the bottle from her hand as well, he began to pour the red wine down her chest causing Persephone to stiffen at the cool liquid and immediately gasp.

Alek: "How clumsy of me."

Smirking, his mouth immediately went to her body, lapping up the wine that now stained her caramel skin. She let her head fall back and eyes shut, her arms wrapping around his neck as he flipped them both over so he was now on top of her.

"And we didn't even get to eat our food yet."

She teased, finding his mouth once again.

 

[MorningStar]

South of Midtown to West Village

Delilah leaned on Sharon – with some, she wouldn’t have wanted to appear weak, but she trusted Sharon, and in truth, she couldn’t stand on her own. The memory of the pain was imprinted in her mind like a tattoo.

... we then me must get to him, at once.

Delilah raised her arm, but she couldn’t summon the wormhole, she was just too weak. Without being asked, Silver Swan picked her up and began to carry her.

Relax. I can carry you with ease. Tell me where Bishop is.

“13th Street and Sixth Avenue. Hurry…please…”

It surprised even Delilah how fast Sharon was able to get them downtown. She set Delilah down and thankfully, she was now able to stand on her own.

My sonar only registered ONE other body on the premesis, and I don't detect any OTHER heart beats or human rhythms.

Delilah gulped.

“I just hope that heart beat is HIS and not…”

Haleigh’s.

But Delilah couldn’t think about that just now, she only had one focus. So she led Sharon into the loft.

Seeing him, it was like someone had kicked her in the face. His body was cut and bruised, and he was bleeding out all over the floor. She rushed to his side, taking off her jacket and packing it around the knife still in his chest. If she knew anything about wounds, it was you don’t take the knife out.

“My god…Maxim…”

He wasn’t conscious, not by a long shot. She touched his face, his chest, his hand.

Athena...His heart beat...is so faint....so weak. He doesn't have much time left.

Delilah was still kneeling over Bishop, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“You stay with me, Maxim, you hear me? Don’t you dare leave me, not now, not when I was just getting you back…”

She looked up at Sharon, and cried out.

“We have to do something!”

There's been a violent conflict...

....Delilah...

Sharon was pointing at the tv but Delilah didn’t care how this happened. All she cared about was making him better. Why wasn’t Sharon helping her? He needed a doctor…

“We don’t have time for that Sharon! We need…we need…KAREN!”

But Karen was probably on Aerie with Mike.

“ISIS! Isis can heal him! We need to call her!”

She was becoming hysterical now.

And what was on the tv was registering. Her and Andrew. Andrew and her. And Bishop’s knife stuck in his own chest…